Cigar-bunch shaper.



H. S. MARSH-8L LINDBLAD.

CIGAR BUNCH SHAPER.

APPLICATION men was. 1915.

1, 1 9 1 1 99. Patented July 18, 1916.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

H. S. MARSH & C. LINDBLAD.

CIGAR BUNCH SHAPER.

APPLICATION FILED mm. 1915.

Patnted July 18, 1916.

4 SHEETS SI-IEET 2.

-66 1 ($29.41 @jgbfl. 4 6'9 6" g? H. ,S. MARSH & C. LINDBLAD.

mm BUNCH SHAPER.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 8. IQI5- r 1 ,1 91 199. Patented July 18, 1916. 4 SHEETS-SHEET 3- H. s. MARSH & c. LINDBLAD.

CIGAR BUNCH sHAPEn;

APPLICATION FILED APR. 8, 1915.

' Patented July 18, 1916.

4 SHEETS SHEET 4.

.millilm w I. 1 r v UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE;

HARRY SEYMOUR MARSH AND .oHARLEs EINDRLAD, or BROOKLYN, N W YORK,

ASSIGNORS T0 INTERNATIONAL CIGAR MAcHINERY- GOMPANY,'OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A ooRroRA'rIo or NEW JERsEY.

. cIGAR-BUNcn snAPER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented J uly' 18, 1916.

. Application filed April'S, 1915. Serial No. 20,019.

the United States, residing at Brooklyn,

county of Kings, and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Cigar-Bunch "Shapers, of whlch the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improvement in cigar bunch shapers, particularly adaptable for use in cigar making machines.

There are two general types of cigars, one of which is known in the art as molded, and the other as fresh bunch. In-making a molded cigar, a charge of filler material is inclosed in a binder, and the bunch so formed is then compressed in a mold long enough to destroy the natural resiliency of the tobacco and to give the bunch definite and permanent form; after which it is removed from the mold and a wrapper is applied th'ereto. In making a fresh bunch cigar, filler material is inclo'sed'in a binder and-the wrapper is immediately applied to 2,

the bunch so formed, no moldbeing used. The two typesof. cigars have distinct characteristics.

- hard and easily wrapped, but does not bunch cigars,-great difiiculty is'experienc'ed informing the head, theend that is cut oil before smoking; and also in lesser degree informing the opposite or tuck end when the cigar ,is of aperfecto shape. This is due to the factthat there is so little tobacco at the extreme ends of the bunch -and the tobacco is so pliable and soft thatit-iseasily or atboth the headand tuck eiids.

Another object of the invention is the pro-;

twisted out of shape during the operation 'of applying a wrapper; and after the wrapper is applied, there is a tendency for'this twistedv tobacco to move as it dries and loosen the wrapper. Y

' The main object of the present invention is the production ,of means for shaping a cigarbuncli, which bunch shall beofa new I tions, there is provided-compressing means and, improved type having the characteri'stics of a fresh bunchthroughout the major portion of its length and .having the characteris'tics of a molded bunchat the head end,

The molded 'cigar is compact,

. retainers. In the making of fresh duction of a device of this general character having means for trimming the ends of the bunch so formed.

With these and other objects not specifically mentioned in view, the invention consists in certain constructions and combinations which will be hereinafter fully described and then specifically set forth in the claims hereunto appended. y

In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification and in which like characters of reference indicate the same or like parts, Figure 1 is a general elevation, shown partly in section, of a device constructed in accordance with the in vention. Fig. 2 is an' end elevation of the structure shown in Fig. 1. F ig. 3 is a fragmentary detail view showing the means for supporting a cigar bunch, for retaining the same on the support, and for compressing a portion of said cigar bunch. Fig. 4 is a detail view, upon an enlarged scale, of a pair of the compressing members. Fig. 5 is a sectional side elevation illustrating the cams ming members in closed position on a cigar bunch resting in the support and held by the And Figs. 7 to 10 inclusive are diagrammatic views illustrating the operation of the. machine- In carrying the invention into effect, the-re is provided means adapted for engaging and only'upen a portion of the bunch so'suported to transversely compress said portion into definite and permanent form. In the best constructions, although not always necessary, means for retaining a bunch on .the supporting nleans, means for longitudinally positioning'the bunch in the supporting means before the compressingfmeans comesinto action,zand meansfor transporting the bunch away from the supporting means are also used. And in some construction thereof. a All of the above general elements may be varied in construction within wide limits,

details of the structure shown and described.

Referring to the drawings, 1 indicates the bed of a cigar machine of the well known Tyberg type. Mounted upon this bed is a bracket 2, to the sides of which are secured plates 3, these plates having concavities in their upper edges which form a cradle or support for an unfinished cigar bunch in uncompressed condition. In the device illustrated, means are provided for retaining a bunch on the supporting means or plates 3. This retaining means consists of a pair of aws 4 which are pivoted together at 5 and to a suitable boss formed on the bracket 2 before referred to. Each of these jaws 4 is connected, by means of a link 6, to a yoke 7, this yoke being guided between flanges 8 formed on a hub 9, which hub is loosely mounted upon a rock shaft 10 journaled at each end in the uprights of a bracket 11 rising from the bed 1 before referred to. The lower end of the yoke 7 is pivoted at 12 to-a cam lever 13 which is fulcrumed upon abar 14 suitably supported in a frame 15. This frame 15 supports the bed 1 before referred to. The cam lever 13 carries a bowl 16 which engages a cam groove 17 formed in a cam 18. This cam '18 is fixed upon a shaft 19 suitably journaled in the frame 15. By an inspection of Fig. 5, it will be seen that the cam groove 17 varies in width. The purpose of this varying width of the cam groove is to allow a certain free movement of the jaws, the

\ movement of the lever 13 being positive in one direction only. Secured to the lowerend of the yoke 7 at a point close to the pivot 12, is a post 20, and to this post is connected one end of a spring 21.. The other end of the spring 21 is connected to a bent post 22 secured in the bracket 11 before referred to. This spring acts to raise the cam lever 13 and yoke 7, and through the agency of the link, 6, to close the retaining jaws 4 upon the bunch resting in the support 3, the wide portionof the cam groove 17 permitting this motion. It will therefore be readily understood that the retainer does not positively hold the cigar bunch against longitudinal movement, but exerts upon the bunch suflicient pressure to retain the .bunch when properly positioned longitudinally in the supports.

Successive bunches may not always be placed in the support in the same longitudinal position. Means, are therefore provided for insuring that successive bunches are always brought to the same position longitudinally on the support and in the retainer before the mechanism which acts upon the bunch at alater time comes into action. While in certain constructions other means-may be employed for the purpose of longitudinally positioning the bunch on the support and in the retaining means, as shown, this positioning means includes two members normally out of contact with the bunch and which are automatically brought into engagement with the ends of the bunch and have a definite movement so that suc cessive bunches will always be brought to the same position. This positioning means consists of two cupshaped members 23, each pinned'to a shaft 24 mounted in suitable bearings in brackets 25 rising from the bed 1 before referred to. vided with a long splineway 26 and the shaft is rotated by means of a pulley 27 carrying a spline 28 engaging the splineway 26, the pulley being driven by means of a belt 29 over-running the same and also over-running a pulley 30 fast on a shaft 31 suitably supported in bearings not shown, but carried by the bed, 1. For the purpose of moving the cupshaped members 23 into i and out of engagement with the ends of a bunch resting upon the supports and within the retainers, each shaft 24 is provided with a spool 32 engaged by a yoke 33 formed on the upper end of an arm 34. The lower end. of each arm 34 is fast upon the short rock shaft 35 journaled in the brackets 25 before referred to. One of the short shafts 35 carries a depending arm 36; while the other carries an upstanding arm 37, the arms 36 and 37 being connected by means of a link 38, the purpose of which is to synchronize the movement of the two cupshaped members 23. One of the arms 34 has integrally formed therewith an arm 39 and to this arm is pivoted the upper end of a connecting rod 40. The lower end of the connecting rod 40 is pivoted at 41 to a cam lever 42.- .This cam lever is fulcrumed at 43 on a stud suitably supported by the frame 15. The

cam lever 42 carries a bowl 44 tracking in a sitio-n within the retainer, if it is not already there. The positioning means are then withdrawn, back to the position shown in Fi .1.

iifter the bunchhas been inclosed in the retainers and positioned therein by the cupshaped members 23, the extreme end or ends of the bunch are subjected to transverse pressureto give the same definite and permanent form. While other means may be used for this purpose, as shown,' two pairs of compressing'membe'rs are employed, the

Each shaft 24 is promembers of each pair being oppositely disposed and normally out of contact with. the

unch. The hub 9 before referred to as carrying the flanges 8 also has formed integrally therewith two upstanding arms 46.

Each of these arms 46 carries at its top a will be seen that these compression members are partially cut away to form series of separated plates arranged to interlock as they approach each other, each member having a semi-cupshaped operating surface marked 52. 'Secured to the hub 9 before referred to is an arm 53, and secured to one of the'leveis 49 is an arm 54. These two arms 53 and 54 are connected, by means of links 55 and 56, to the fork of a'oonnecting vrod 57. This connecting rod 57 is pivoted at 58 to a cam lever 59 fulcrumed'on the bar 14 before referred to, and carrying abowl 60 which tracks in a cam groove 61 on the side of the cam 18 opposite that having the cam grooves'17 and 45. This cam is timed to cause the oppositely disposed compression members 47 and 50 to approach and engage the extreme ends under compression .long enough to give them definite and permanent form in closely compacted condition. It isdesirable also that the bunch be trimmed,

, and while other means may be employed for this purpose, as shown, the trimming devices are carried by the compressing members and consist of shear blades 62 carried by the compressing members 47 and coiiperating shear blades 63 carried by the compressing members 50. It will be readily understood that thetrimming of the bunch takes place at the same time that the, ends are compacted and given definite form, and that-the trimming shears are operated by the same mechanism as that which operates the compressing members.

After the bunch has had-its ends compressed and has been trimmed, thecam 61 with its connecting mechanism operates to open the compressing and trimming members, after which the cam 17 with its connections operates'to op'en'the retaining jaws 4. The bunch may then be removed from the supports 3, and in the device selected to illustrate the invention, mechanism is provided for this purpose: This mechanism includes a swinging or oscillating arm 64 supporting a fixed jaw 65 and a movable jaw 66. This movable jaw is formed integrally with a lever 67 which is pivoted at 68 to the arm 64. The lever 67 carries a stud 69 projecting through an aperture 70 formed in the arm 65', an aperture large enough to permit only. a definite movement of the stud 69 and the lever 67. carrying it. A retaining spring 71 of well known character is employed for the purpose of holding the lever 67 either in open or in'closed position, as the case may be The arm 64 is mounted upon a short shaft 72,- which is journaled in a bracket 73 rising from the bed 1. The shaft 72 carries apinion 74' which is in mesh with a sector gear 75 formed on the end of an arm 76. This arm isfast 'on" a shaft 77,

which shaft carries an arm 78, shown in Fig. 2 as broken'oif but which is cam controlled in a manner well known to mechanics. The bracket 73 is provided with cam blocks 79 and 80, these blocks. being so located that the stud 69 comes in contact therewith at either end of the movement of the arm 64; and by the contact of thestud 69 with the cam blocks 79, the jaws 65 and 66 are closed upon a bunch resting upon the supports 3; and by contact of the stud 69 with the cam block 80, the jaws are opened at the other end of the movement of the arm 64 to release the bunch.

By an inspection of Figs. 7 tov 10, the successive operations will be readily understood. In Fig. 7, an unfinished bunch is shown resting upon the supports 3 with the retaining jaws 4 in open position. In Fig. 8, there'- taining jaws have closed upon the bunch, and the cupshaped positioning members 23 are approaching each other andthe bunch.

In Fig. 9, the positioning members are shown in full engagement with the ends of the bunch, and it will be noted that this action gathers-the loose ends of the bunch to roughly shape the same. In Fig. 10, the po;

sitionlng members are shown retreating; while the compressing and trimming members are shown in engagement with the bunch 'to give the ends their definite and .permanent form.

It will be readily understood that by the mechanism herein described, a cigar bunch of a new type is produced; that is to say, a hunch the middle portion of which is un-' compressed .as in a fresh bunch cigar, while the ends are compressed and given definite andpermanent form as in a molded bunch. A bunch is thus produced which is easy to wrap, but which will smoke as freel as a fresh bunch cigar.

at is claimed is:

1. In a cigar bunch shaper, the comblnation with means adapted for engaging and supporting the major portions of an unfin-' ished cigar bunch in uncompressed condition, of means acting only upon an end portion of the bunch so supported to transversely compress said end portion into definite and permanent form.

definite and permanent form, and means for trimming the bunch while so supported.

4. In a cigar bunch shaper, the combination with mea s dapted for engaging and supporting'the ajor portion of an unfinished cigar bunch in uncompressed condition,,of means acting only upon an end portion of the bunchso supportedto transversely compress the same into definite and permanent form, and means for transporting the bunch away from the supporting means.

5. In a cigar bunch' shaper, the combination with means adapted for engaging'and supporting the major portion of an unfinished cigar bunch in uncompressed condition, of means for longitudinallypositioning the bunch on the support, and means acting only upon an end portion of the bunch so supported and positioned to transversely compress said end portion into definite and permanent form.

6. In a cigarbunch shaper, the combination with means adapted for engaging and supporting the major portion of an unfinished cigar bunch in uncompressed condition, of means for retaining the bunch in the supporting means, means for longitudinally positioning the bunchin the supporting means and retaining means, and means acting only upon an end portion of the bunch so supported to transversely compress said End portion into definite and permanent 7. In a cigar bunch shaper, thecombination with means-adapted for engaging and supporting the major portion of an unfinished cigar bunch in uncompressed condition, of means for retaining the bunch in the supporting means, means for longitudinally positioning the bunch in the supporting means and retaining means, means acting only upon an end portion of the bunch so supported and retained and positioned to transversely compress. said end portion into definite and permanent form, and meansfor trimming the bunch while so supported.

-'8. In a cigar. bunch shaper, the combination with means adapted for engaging and supporting the major portion of an unfinished cigar bunch in uncompressed condition, of means for retaining the bunch in the supporting means, means for longitudinally positioning the bunch in the supporting means and retaining means, means acting only upon an end portion of the bunch so supported and retained and positioned to transversely compress said end portion into definite and permanent form, means for trimming the bunch while so supported,.and means for transporting the trimmed bunch away from the supporting'means.

9. In a cigar bunch shaper, the combination with'means adapted for engaging and supporting the middle portion of an unfinished cigar bunch in-un'compressed condition, of means simultaneously acting upon both ends of the bunch so supported to transversely compress said ends into definite and permanent form;

10. In a cigar bunch shaper, the combination with means adapted for engaging and I supporting the middle portion of an unfinished cigar bunch in uncompressed condition, of meansfor retaining a bunch on the supporting means, and means simultaneously acting upon both ends of the bunch so supported to transversely compress said ends into definite and permanent form.

' l1. In-a cigar bunch shaper, the combination With means adapted for engaging and (supporting the middle portion of an unfinished cigar bunch in uncompressed condition, of means simultaneously acting upon both ends of the bunch so supported to trans versely compress said ends into definite and permanent form, and means for trimming the bunch while so supported.

12. In a cigar bunch shaper, the combination with means adapted for engaging and supporting the middle portion of an unfinished cigarbunch in uncompressed condition, of means simultaneously acting upon both ends of the bunch so supported to transversely compress said ends into definite and permanent form, and means for transporting the bunch away from the supporting means. I I

13. In a'cigar bunch'shapegthe, combination with means adapted for "engaging and supporting the middle portion of an unfinished cigar bunch in uncompressed condition, of means for longitudinally, positioning the bunch on the-support, and means simul 'taneously acting upon both ends of the 7 bunch so supported and positioned to trans versely compress said ends into-definite and permanent form.

14. In a cigar bunch shaper, the combination with means adapted for engaging and supporting the middle portion of.an unfinished cigar bunch in uncompressed condition, of means'for retaining the bunch in the supporting means, means for longitudinally positioning the bunch in the supporting means and retaining means, and means acting simultaneously upon both ends of the bunch so supported to transversely compress said ends into definite and permanent form.

15. In a cigar bunch shaper, the combination with means adapted for engaging and supporting the middle portion of an unfinished cigar bunch in uncompressed condition,

sitioning the bunch in the supporting means and retaining means, means simultaneously acting upon both ends of the bunch so-supported to transversely compress said 'ends. into definite and permanent form, means for trimming the bunch while so supported, and means for transporting the trimmed bunch away from the supporting means.

17 In a cigar bunch shaper, the combination with means adapted for engaging and 'supportingthe major portion of an unfinished cigar bunch in uncompressed condi tion, of springclosed and cam opened means for retaining'a' bunch on the supporting means, and means acting only upon an end portion of the bunch so supported and retained to transversely compress said end portioninto definite and permanent form.

18. In a cigar bunch shaper, the combination with means adapted for engaging and supporting the major portion of an unfinished cigar bunch in' uncompressed condition, of a pair of spring closed and cam o ened jaws cooperating with the support for retaining a bunch thereon, and means acting only upon an end portion of the bunch so supported and retained to transversely compress said end portion into definite and permanent form.

19. In a cigar bunch shaper, the combination with means adapted for engaging'and supporting the major portion of an unfinished cigar bunch in uncompressed condition, of a pair of spring closed and cam opened jaws carried by and cooperating with said support for retaining a bunch on said support, and means acting only upon an end portionof the bunch so supported and retained to transversely compress said end portion into definite and permanent form.

20. In a cigar bunch shaper, the combination with means adapted for engaging and supporting the major portion of an unfin ished cigar bunch in uncompressed condition,of a pair of devices normally out of contact with the bunch in the support, means forgiving said devices an approaching movement whereby they are brought into contact with the ends of the bunch to longitudinally position the same in the support, and means acting only upon an end portion of the bunch so supported and. positioned to transversely compress said end portion into definite and permanent form.

21. In a cigar bunch shaper, the combina' tion with means adapted for engaging and supporting the major portion of an unfinished cigar bunch in uncompressed condition, of a pair of rotating devices normally out of contact with the bunch in the support, means for giving said devices an approaching movement whereby they are brought into contact withthe ends of the bunch to longitudinally position the same in the support, vand means acting only upon an end portion of the bunch so supported and positioned. to transversely compress said end portion into definite-and permanent form.

22. In a cigar bunch shaper, the combination with means adapted for engaging and supporting the major portion of an unfinishedcigar bunch in uncompressed condition, of a pair of cupshaped rotating devices normally out of contact with the bunch in the support, means for giving said devices an approaching movement whereby they are brought into contact with the ends of'the bunch to longitudinally position the same in the support, and means acting only'upon an end portion of the bunch so supported and positioned totransversely compresssaid end portion into definite and permanent form.

23. In a cigar bunch shaper, the comblnation with means adapted for engaging and supporting the major portion of an unfinished cigar bunch in uncompressed condition, of a pair of oppositely disposed compression' members, and means for causlng said members to approach and embrace an end portion of the bunch so supported to transversely compress said end portion into definite and permanent form.

' 24. In a cigar bunch shaper, the combination with means adapted for engaging and supporting the major portion of an unfinished cigar bunch in uncompressed condltion, of a pair of oppositely disposed interlockable compression members, and means for causing said members to approach and embrace an end portion of the bunch so supported to transversely compress said end portion into definite and permanent form. '25. In a cigar bunch shaper, the combination With means adapted for engaging and supporting the major portion of an unfinished cigar bunch 1n uncompressed condition, of a pair of oppositely disposed inter lockable semi-cupshaped compresslon memapproach and embrace an'end portion of the bunch so supported to transverselycompress said end portion into definite and permanent form. I Y

26. In a cigar bunch shaper, the combination with means adapted for engaging and supporting the major portion of an unfinished cigar bunch in uncompressed condition, of a pair of oppositely disposed compression members, and cam actuated means for causing said members to approach and embrace an end portion of the bunch so supported to transversely compress said end portion into definite and permanent form.

' 27. In a cigar bunch shaper, the combination with means adapted for engaging and supporting the major portion of an unfinished cigar bunch in uncompressed condition, of a pair of oppositely disposed compression members, means for causingsaid members .to approach and embrace an end portion of the bunch so supported to transversely compress said end portion into definite and permanent form, and a pair of knives one carried byeach member and coacting to trim the bunch. v

28. In a cigar bunch shaper, the combination with means adapted for engaging and supporting the middle portion'of an unfinished cigar bunch in uncompressed condition, of means comprising operative connections and two pairs of oppositely'disposed compression members simultaneously acting bunch so supported to transversely compress said endsinto definite and permanent form,

30. In a cigar bunch shaper the combination with means adapted for engaging and supporting the middle portion of an unfin-.

ished cigar bunch in uncompressed c0ndition, ofjmeans comprising operative connec- I tions and two pairs of oppositely disposed interlockable semi-cupshaped compression members simultaneously acting upon both ends of the bunch so supported to transversely compress said ends into definite and permanent form.

In testimony whereof, we have signed our names to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

HARRY SEYMOUR MARSH. CHARLES LINDBLAD. Witnesses:

SYDNEY I. Pnnsoorr, ELIZABETH LOUISE Rossnm- 

